Hand in Hand Global Mission Support Blog Digest

This "blog digest" is brought to you by the ELCA Global Mission Support team. Here you will find posts and re-posts by ELCA missionaries, ELCA Global Mission churchwide staff, and other friends.

A Maundy Thursday reflection

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Hand In Hand

From the night of the disciples’ last meal with Jesus, until now, the simple things of bread and wine, combined with Christ’s word of promise, bring the gifts of forgiveness, reconciled community, and the promise of life eternal.  More than the sum of its parts, the Holy Eucharist sustains believers and the Church. 

The four communion vessels chosen for the 2009 Churchwide Assembly are a rich sign of inclusivity among the faithful. The chalice, pitcher, basket and linens were crafted by artisans from four places where the ELCA accompanies companions in faithful and transformative mission: Palestine, Bangladesh, Uganda and Guatemala. 

In the spring of 2009, we had the opportunity and joy to work with the Natsheh family living in Hebron, Palestine, to produce the glass chalices.  The family has been in the glass-blowing business for more than 450 years; and were honored and humbled when asked to reclaim broken, discarded and recycled glass for the creation of the 30 chalices.  Imad Natsheh expressed his gratitude and his family’s honor in making such a significant contribution “for our Christian friends who recognize the need for God’s forgiveness.”  Imad went on to say, “We are grateful for our Lutheran brothers and sisters who work for peace with justice in this holy but troubled land.” 

 In the Holy Meal, lovely goblets are transformed into chalices, carrying Christ’s new life, freely offered for all people. Through the Holy Meal, we are transformed, too.  Forgiven and renewed, we carry the good news of Christ’s redeeming love. 

During Holy Week, Christians around the world will break bread offered in a variety of textures, tastes, shapes and sizes; and, they will lift a cup and hear the words: “given and shed for you and all people.”  Thanks be to God for the reconciling Spirit who brings together such earthly things to bear Christ’s promise of life eternal! 

In April 2010, the Rev. Mark and Marcia Holman will return to the U.S. after serving as ELCA missionaries in Jerusalem.

32, 22, 8, 18, 9,000

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Hand In Hand

Answer:  32 sponsor visits, 22 sermons, 8 children’s messages, 18 presentations, and 9000 miles.  What’s the question? 

Every two years, long-term missionaries return to the United States for two months of home-assignment leave.  During this time, the missionaries and Global Mission churchwide staff meet together, often at the Summer Missionary Conference.  Most of their time is spent meeting with their sponsors to tell the stories of the mission and ministries in their place of service.  Below, Marcia Holman, an ELCA missionary based in Jerusalem, shares what “home-assignment leave” meant for her and her husband, the Rev. Mark Holman.  Mark serves as pastor for the English-speaking congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem. Marcia’s service centers on community development and education.
–Sue Edison-Swift

Our home-leave assignment began in Philadelphia in June and ended in Minneapolis in August. Along the way we enjoyed visiting 32 of our sponsoring congregations. The itinerary included 22 sermons, 8 children’s sermons, 18 presentations, and countless potluck suppers–where we sampled everyone’s hot dishes and favorite comfort food. From beginning to end we drove nearly 9,000 miles before returning the beautiful “summer loaner” car to the extraordinarily generous Dan and Anne Ritter from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

 Throughout our visits, we were heartened by the level of knowledge – and hunger for more information – that people had for peace and justice issues related to the Middle East. Many were well informed about how the ELCA stands in solidarity, particularly with struggling Palestinian Christians living in Jerusalem and the West Bank. People were not only staying abreast of information in local and national media, they had also been reading some of the fine ELCA resources, including the “Peace Not Walls” materials and The Lutheran magazine. It was an exhausting journey, at the same time when heading back to Jerusalem, we felt supported and encouraged to return to the vital ministry in a land both holy and troubled.   
–Marcia Holman is an ELCA missionary based in Jerusalem.

Walking with the risen Lord: An Easter Devotion

Posted on April 13, 2009 by admin

This Easter Devotion, written by The Rev. Mark Holman, is based on Luke 24:13-35. It appears in the Spring 2009 issue of Hand in Hand, the new ELCA Missionary Sponsorship quarterly newseltter. The devotion is written by the Rev. Mark Holman. Easter blessings!   Sue

Only Luke tells this story of Jesus’ tender patience: “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures” (Luke 24:27). Later, their eyes were opened when Jesus blessed, broke, and gave the bread.

We have not yet walked the road to Emmaus, but we, and the people we serve, have walked plenty of stony roads in and around Jerusalem. Daily, we walk through 3,000 years of biblical history. At the same time, we participate in some of the pivotal events that will be reported in tomorrow’s international media.

We walk with people who grieve the loss of their precious homeland and now endure the incessant humiliations of occupation. We join in the struggle for peace and justice in a climate often simmering with vengeance and retribution. Most of all, in faith, we walk with the risen Lord who continues to be revealed when scripture is opened and bread broken. He is the one who brings life and sets us free.

dsc_0067b-785782The Rev. Mark and Marcia Holman are ELCA missionaries. Pastor Mark serves as pastor of the English-speaking congregation at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem. Marcia serves to strengthen community life among the women and men called to serve in Palestine.